I cannot hear the cries of the heart, but I can feel its agony. To say it’s merely being ripped in two, that is an understatement. It is being torn into pieces as numerous as the stars in the sky and the grains of sand on the beach, grabbed and taken from my chest, thrown onto the ground, stepped on – no, it is stomped all over before these actions are repeated again, and again, and again. Then, chills run down my body until I’m shaking all over. Thoughts fly into my head, denying the impending truth. The chills become worse and my heart takes it’s share of suffering once more. It’s a hard thing to do – being in love and staying there throughout all the ups and downs. Love is the most beautiful thing in the world, but it can also be the most painful thing when it shatters to pieces.

Title: Number the Stars
Fandom: Star Ocean: Till The End of Time
Challenge: N/A
Characters: Albel Nox/Nel Zelpher
Rating: T/PG-13
Prompt: "Till I Hear You Sing (Once More)" by Ramin Karimloo
Word Count: 2,380
Author’s note: Second Alnel attempt. Post-game. Warning, character death. I hope the characterization is right.

( Her sacrifice makes him realize what they could have had. )

There you go, smoking again.

You smoked last night,

You smoked this morning

You might smoke again tonight.

Yeah, we had a fight,

A dispute, call it what you will,

But are you really that upset?

Tell me. Talk to me.

I’m worried about you.

Don’t screw this chance up.

If you do, I might not come back.

Come down from your high

And look at me.

Come down from your high,

If you don’t,

I don’t know what’ll happen now.